Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Key Responsibilities

• Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
• Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
• Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
• Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
• Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
• Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
• Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
• Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
• Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
• Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
• Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
• Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
• Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
• Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
• Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
• Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
• Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
• Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
• Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
• Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
• Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
• Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
• Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.